BOROUGH COUNCIL

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 62, Issue 8, 21 October 1941, Page 3

BOROUGH COUNCIL

RIVER CONTROL WORK. THE WEST STREET RESERVE. The Ashburton Borough Council met last, evening. There were present at the meeting tlie Mayor (Dr. J. Connor), Messrs A. A. McDonald (Deputy-Mayor), J. Thompson, A. H. Todd; H. W. Shorrnft, W. H. Amos, W. H. Sarney. W. S. Kerr, H. G. Ferrier, H. W. H. Smallbone, A. H. Fenn and E. C. Bathurst. Tlio financial statement- showed that receipts since the previous meeting had totalled £1492 7s 2d. The Chief Traffic Inspector at Christchurch wrote that during the last month eight drivers were tested and passed in Ashburton Borough, and driving licences were issued. A request for a donation toward its funds was received from the Ashburton Health Camp Committee, and it was agreed to refer the request lo the Mayor. Three residents of Brucefield Avenue petitioned for the completion of the korbing and channelling fronting their properties and for the tar-sealing of the footpath. The work was approved.

The clearing of willows, gorse, and broom from the Ashburton river-bed and tlie erection of stopbanks was well under way, stated a letter from the Ashburton County Council, which added that the cost of the work would be £60,000, of which the Council’s share was £14,500. The Council was of the opinion that the Ashburton Borough would derive substantial benefit from the work, and suggested thnt the boundaries of the district should be altered to include the Borough. It was therefore proposed to take tlie necessary steps under law to have the boundaries altered accordingly, but the Council would be pleased to consider representations from the Borough before action was taken.

It was left to the Mayor, the chairman of the Finance Committee (Mr McDonald) and the Town Clerk (Mr R. O. Major) and the Borough Solicitor (Mr L. A. Charles) to interview the County Council on the subject. Hospital) Board’s). Loan. The Ashburton Hospital Board wrote that it had doomed it prudent to apply for a loan of £BO,OOO for building purposes in place of the original amount of £73,000. The Board would, of course, use its loan authority only up to the actual amount required for the work. Permission to screen moving pictures at Ashburton on Christmas night was sought by the manager of the St. James Theatre (Mr J. D. Baxter), on the condition that the programme to be screened is approved by the Council. Consent, was given on the condition referred to.

In reply to the Council’s letter asking its intention regarding its lease of a portion of the railway reserve in West Street (now in lawn) ns a turn round’for its vehicles, the Mid-Canter-bury Transport, Ltd., wrote that it had been found neeessary for a petrol pump to he placed on the reserve, to have its lorries serviced away from the street. The construction of the reserve should in 116 way detract from the appearance of the section. The company would be pleased to co-oper-ate with the Council in the proposal to establish n general parking area at that point. Mr McDonald said the question was not one for the present alone, but. one in which the Council had to look to the future,, when the Council planned to have parking and beautifying work carried out there. He moved that the question should ho referred to the By-Laws Committee for a thorough investigation of the position. This was seconded by Mr Todd, who said it would be a great- pity if the area was to be used as a parking plaeo for the big lorries. The good work that had been done should not be spoiled. Mr ICerr said the Council should be careful that the area did not go hack to the condition it was in some years ago, before beautifying work was carried out. No one wanted to interfere with the business of any firm, hut the Council should see that the beauty of the locality was not destroyed, Mr Thomson said that unfortunately the Council had been too late, and had no control over the question. Mr Smallbone said he understood no big lorries would be parked on the area just leased, and he thought the Council should meet the company on the question. The motion was carried. The Department of Agriculture wrote in reference to a contract between the Council and the Department governing the conditions of the engagement of the municipal abattoirs. Domain Board. Sitting as a Domain Board, the Council received the report of the Act-ing-Curator (Mr E. J. Spicer) on workcarried out on the reserves in the last tw-o weeks. On the recommendation of the Ashburton Sports Association, the Ashburton Baseball Association was granted the use of two diamonds on the playing area on the Domnin top ground at a rental of £l, with a marking fee of £5. Cemetery Board. ‘When the Council sat ns a Cemetery Board it received the financial statement, which showed that there was a credit balance of £Bl 18s. Receipts since the previous meeting had totalled £l9 10s.